Happy Friday Coaches!! Hoping all the HS coaches are having a great June!! Looking forward to getting started up again with Cal Stars in July for the home stretch of the NIKE EBYL club season.
This weeks shout out goes to Kyle Keiderling, who wrote one of my All Time Favorite Books, HEART OF A LION, and secondly Coach Paul Westhead who was an NBA Champion and WNBA Champion when I met him for the first time at the University of Oregon. His kindness, sense of humor, welcoming nature, and willingness to share anything and everything made a HUGE impression on me! The book details the life of Hank Gathers, his early life in the Raymond Rosen Projects of Philadelphia, his medical issues, and the magical 89-90 season with Bo Kimble at Loyola Marymount. It’s a MUST READ!!! Coach Westhead shared so many stories with me from that season. I loved watching how JOYFUL he was coaching at that stage in his career.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
-Paul Westhead
This week’s basketball share includes observations from recruiting this June, how I like to utilize the PINEWOOD 3 v 3 transition drill to teach offensive concepts and get us up and running for the second part of summer, and a great SSG for your SKILL DEVELOPMENT this offseason.
Let’s Go!!
Watching a ton of games this June. I’ve observed a few consistent themes.
Driving single gaps. Teach your players to pass through the single gaps and dribble attack the double gaps. Coach Marc Hart and I did a great video a few years back on that topic for our Dribble Drive A to Z Course.
Spacing issues. Players don’t know how to move based on the ball and how it is moving. Reacting to penetrations, ball movements, and actions are KEY to a successful transition and half court offense.
When and how to cut. I love the quote “when in doubt, get out.” Too many players stand vs moving based on their teammates. Teach movements based on the actions including: 45 cuts, baseline drifts, drag actions etc.
Catch and shoots. My biggest dilemma! Players can’t catch and shoot the ball consistently and as a by product become a liability on offense. I subscribe to the HOP shooting method. Whatever your philosophy is, teach it early in a player’s career and help them become a “threat” each time they catch the ball.
AAU Season PART 2 is right around the corner. Getting your team up and running quickly is a key. I liken it to the NBA where you have 5-7 practices then start playing games. One of my favorite drills to build back our transition attack quickly is our 3 v 3 Transition Drill. Taken from Doc Scheppler at Pinewood HS it’s a simple continuous game that can have added constraints or rules to create points of emphasis. Example: + 4 for a paint touch kick out 3-pointer made, + 2 for offensive rebounds, - 2 for a turnover etc. You get what you emphasize so choose constraints that fit your philosophy. It is also a great conditioner for the quick turn into July viewing events. You can run this drill 2 v 2 or 4 v 4 also! Check out my YOUTUBE for all the versions of this great SSG.
I absolutely love our spring skill sessions. I get the privilege of working with our current players, new recruits, and local HS athletes as we/they get some work heading into summer. A favorite SSG in these sessions is our 1 v 1 CONE TOUCH. It helps your players react to the defense, attack the basket, and develop the “foul them first” mindset I love for players attacking basket.
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Find all my stuff here: https://linktr.ee/kurt.guelsdorf
Cal Stars: EYBL SCHEDULE NIKE EYBL SITE
Have a recruit that could be interested in Clackamas CC Women’s Basketball?
Email kurt.guelsdorf@gmail.com or text at 503-545-7495
Clackamas CC 2025-26
Runner Up NWAC 2025-26: 32-1
Results HERE: CCC Schedule
Film HERE: GAME FILM 2025-26
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YouTube for some Dribble Drive content, special situations, and tons of other stuff. I’m low on tech but hopefully high on content.
YOUTUBE Link: https://www.youtube.com/c/CCCWomensBasketballYouTubeChannel
For more info on Dribble Drive Motion Offense click here: https://bit.ly/2XC2rgr
If you’re interested in Dribble Drive, Press Defense, HOP shooting/finishing clinics please email: kurt.guelsdorf@gmail.com
CCC Women’s Basketball: All games are streamed/archived here: Clackamas Women’s Basketball Streaming
CURRENT VIDEO LINKS FOR 25-26 STATS LINK 25-26
Reach out anytime on X @KurtGuelsdorf. Love talking hoops, sharing ideas, and learning from all the great coaches out there.
GOOD LUCK COACHES!!
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